Dragons to take on Bristol at Clifton RFC in friendly clash

Dai Flanagan's men will head to Clifton RFC rather than Ashton Gate for their first hit-out of the summer on Friday, September 6 (kick-off 7.30pm).

The teams played at the ground in the summer of 2014 when the Dragons, then coached by Lyn Jones, ran out 34-19 winners thanks to tries by fly-half Jason Tovey, locks Rynard Landman and Cory Hill and prop Owen Evans.

SCORE: Rynard Landman scored for the Dragons against Bristol at Clifton in 2014

Two summers ago the Bears won a high-scoring friendly at Rodney Parade 45-28, scoring seven tries to the Dragons' four after a surge in the final quarter.

Tickets will be available on the gate costing £10 for adults and £5 for under-12s as Flanagan’s squad tune up for the United Rugby Championship, which gets under way on the weekend of September 20.

The Dragons are also in talks over more friendly action with Premiership opposition, which would be welcome given the lack of potential English clashes in the Challenge Cup next season.

Gloucester and Newcastle are the only clubs from over the border that will play in the second-tier competition.

The Dragons have played two competitive games in Bristol before, both in the European Challenge Cup.

They were edged out 11-7 at the Memorial Stadium, home of Bristol Rovers, in October 2006 In September 2020 they were drubbed 56-17 in a quarter-final tie that was played behind closed doors at Ashton Gate.

Pat Lam’s side have finished their season after coming fifth in the Premiership, missing out on the play-offs by two points.

The Dragons finish their campaign against the Scarlets at Cardiff City Stadium Judgement Day on Saturday when they could already be cemented in 15th place.

They cannot catch their Welsh rivals or the Sharks while Zebre Parma will be confirmed as the URC’s bottom club on Friday night if they fail to claim at least two match points against title hopefuls Glasgow at Scotstoun Stadium.